Atlantic Power Ranking Week 25: Where do the Buffalo Sabres land?

It’s the final week of the NHL’s regular season, and the second-to-last Atlantic Division Power Ranking. Where do the Buffalo Sabres land this week?

The Buffalo Sabres should have a lot to be proud of this year regardless of the final outcome. With 85 points, they are within striking distance of hitting 90, and that will serve as a major confidence booster heading into the 2023-24 season.

Better yet, there could be a changing of the guard coming up, as the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning rank as the third and fourth oldest teams in the league, respectively. Meanwhile, the Sabres, per Elite Prospects, rank as the second-youngest, at 25.58 years, older than only the Columbus Blue Jackets, 25.45 years.

With that said, you might see upstart Buffalo moving up these rankings in the not-so-distant future if the Bruins and Lightning continue to age. But as it stands, they will likely head into the offseason in the middle of the pack.

Atlantic Division Power Ranking: Where do the Buffalo Sabres rank?

8 – Montreal Canadiens/31-43-6 (68 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 8

This season was all about laying a foundation, so the Montreal Canadiens knew it was going to be a tough outing. Next year will probably be no different.

7 – Detroit Red Wings/35-34-10 (80 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 7

Leave it to Steve Yzerman and his fans in the media to have overrated the Detroit Red Wings in 2022-23. Clearly, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams way proved his method superior in this scenario. Something tells me Detroit is going nowhere fast.

6 – Ottawa Senators/38-35-7 (83 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 6

Though they’ve beaten our Sabres twice this year, the Ottawa Senators are another team that performed well below expectations. Like Detroit, Ottawa was supposed to finish ahead of the Blue and Gold, and while they still can, it probably won’t happen barring a Sabres meltdown.

5 – Buffalo Sabres/39-32-7 (85 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Easily the Atlantic Division’s most improved team, the Buffalo Sabres did everything but make the playoffs in 2022-23. Okay, so while they have a minute percent chance to make it as I write this piece, the odds are not in the favor. But a successful season, nonetheless.

4 – Tampa Bay Lightning/45-29-6 (96 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Chances are, the Tampa Bay Lightning are using this season to put together one final run at a Cup with their current incarnation of talent. This team needs to reload if they want to contend in the future.

3 – Florida Panthers/42-31-7 (91 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 4

The Florida Panthers are finally looking like the NHL’s best team again. And while they are nothing more than a potential wild card in 2022-23, I’m unfortunately expecting their recent run to be a preview of what we will see next season.

2 – Toronto Maple Leafs/47-21-11 (105 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 3

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a few seasons into having rediscovered their winning ways. Can they finally break through and win their first playoff series in nearly two decades?

1 – Boston Bruins/63-12-5 (131 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 1

I’m just going to say it: The Boston Bruins might be one of the Buffalo Sabres biggest rivals and that will be the case moving forward. But what they’ve done this season is nothing short of amazing, and to be frank, they were a lot of fun to watch.

Overall, the Buffalo Sabres played better than many expected, and probably even wanted them to play. And while the playoffs are likely not an option, it was more than just a development year for who can potentially be one of the NHL’s better teams in 2023-24.

(Statistics and info provided by Hockey-Reference)